Guest speaker Rick Ochocki reflects on Luke 24:36 and the disciples’ struggle to recognize the risen Jesus, noting that it was Jesus’ actions—taking, blessing, breaking, and giving bread—that opened their eyes, and emphasizing Christians’ call to receive and practice peace. He shares personal grief after learning that FDNY Lt. Kevin Pfeiffer, a paramedic mentor, was killed on September 11, 2001, and parallels it with meeting a distraught father whose daughter was hospitalized for psychiatric care. Speaking as Chief Development Officer for NAMI San Diego and Imperial Counties and as a family member of someone with mental illness, he describes connecting the father to NAMI resources including Family-to-Family education, a local helpline/warm line, support groups, and NAMI Walks. He invites St. Peter’s to join and support next Saturday’s NAMI Walks at Liberty Station and thanks the church for partnering with NAMI.

00:00 Opening Prayer

00:16 Scripture and Grief

01:57 Emmaus Recognition

03:51 Why Peace Matters

05:19 A Father in Crisis

06:13 NAMI Resources Offered

07:59 What NAMI Walks Means

08:57 Join the Walk

09:51 Thanks and Sending

Rev. Madeline challenges the common “Doubting Thomas” framing, arguing that Thomas’s skepticism after Jesus’ brutal crucifixion was reasonable and shared by other disciples, including Mary Magdalene and Peter. Drawing on Barbara Brown Taylor, she highlights how resurrection upends what seemed certain about death and power, making the disciples’ need for proof and understanding deeply human. She presents resurrection as a central mystery of Christian faith, echoed in Eucharistic Prayer A, and contends that doubt should not be shamed or treated as the opposite of belief but seen as wonder-filled engagement with God’s work beyond human logic. Citing Rev. Ethan Lowry, she shifts the focus from intellectual certainty to trusting that death does not win and asking, in light of Christ’s death and resurrection, “How now shall we live?”

00:00 Opening Prayer

00:24 Rethinking Doubting Thomas

01:43 Trauma And Disbelief

03:46 Resurrection As Mystery

05:41 Doubt Without Shame

07:21 Belief And Wonder Together

08:09 How Then Shall We Live

09:21 Closing Doxology

Mother Susan invites listeners to “walk with Jesus” through Holy Week, drawing on John’s Gospel and the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” Reflecting on the passion narrative written decades after Jesus’ death, she emphasizes that the crucifixion was not a surprise but the completion of Jesus’ steadfast mission amid the clash between Roman violent power and a covenant of love. She recounts Jesus’ purposeful entry into Jerusalem alongside Pilate’s intimidating military display, Jesus’ arrest and abuse, and Pilate’s role in the death sentence. Citing “God so loved the world” and Jesus’ words “It is finished,” she presents the cross as a paradox: a horrific death that becomes a sign of God’s overflowing love, reconciliation, forgiveness, and the opening to eternal life, urging silent vigil on Holy Saturday and reflection on how to live this gift.

00:00 Opening Prayer

00:32 Choosing Jesus to Walk With

01:28 John’s Passion Lens

03:13 Jesus’ Mission and Purpose

04:40 Palm Sunday Clash of Powers

07:01 Arrest and Pilate’s Trial

08:37 The Cross and It Is Finished

10:39 Paradox of the Cross

11:35 Holy Saturday Silence

11:58 What Will We Do